Axios Twin Cities

On March 13, 2020, Walz declared a peacetime state of emergency to respond to COVID-19, saying he was "opening the toolbox" to protect Minnesotans.

• An unprecedented 365 days later — a milestone we hit tomorrow — the toolbox remains open.

Why it matters: The state of emergency has allowed the DFL governor and to act solo — and quickly — to address the pandemic.

• He's used his authority to issue 99 executive orders related to the pandemic, including business closures, the mask mandate and a moratorium on evictions.
• The orders require approval from a council of elected constitutional officers, all of whom are currently Democrats, but not the Legislature.

The big picture: It's not just Walz still relying on executive authority 12 months in. Fifty-three of 55 states and territories remain in an active state of emergency, per the National Governors Association.

The other side: The length and scope of Walz's emergency powers has rankled some legislators and voters, especially Republicans who describe his actions as an overreach.

• "No one person should have total control of state government," Senate Republican Leader Paul Gazelka (R-East Gull Lake) wrote in a recent Star Tribune opinion piece. "There is too much at stake ... to not have other voices in the discussion."
• But efforts to end the emergency and rescind the orders via the Legislature and the courts have so far failed.

What's next: Legislators from both parties are pushing proposals to rein in the executive powers granted to the governor in state statutes.

• Walz has said he's open to winding down the emergency — if lawmakers in the divided Legislature agree to enact some of the key public health measures, including the mask mandate.

Flashback: On the day the state of emergency was declared, 14 Minnesotans had tested positive.

• As of yesterday, the state had logged 494,106 cases and 6,724 deaths.

Target is switching to a flexible work model after the pandemic and will give up 1 million square feet of office space in downtown Minneapolis, all in the 52-story City Center tower.

Why it matters: The retailer is downtown's largest employer, with 8,500 workers.

• It means fewer high-paid employees eating, drinking and shopping downtown on a daily basis.

The big picture: 1 million square feet represents 4.5% of all downtown multi-tenant office space and 7.3% of all Class A downtown office space, according to CBRE Minneapolis numbers.

• Target will continue to occupy 2 million square feet elsewhere downtown and keep its Brooklyn Park campus.

What's next: Target has 10 years left on its lease at City Center and will have to find subleases.

• Nick talked to two real estate experts who said this decision could actually be good for downtown in the long-term because companies will be able to rent Class A office space at much lower prices, since Target will be happy to recoup costs.

The big picture: The trend to remote working is going to create a problem for suburban office parks as well.

• As we reported this week, Prime Therapeutics is also moving to a flexible plan and giving up 180,000 square feet in Bloomington's Normandale Lake Office Park.

More than 400 Minnesotans with diabetes received life-saving medication at low cost in the first six months of the state's new emergency insulin program, according to a new report from the Minnesota Board of Pharmacy.

The backdrop: The Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act, which passed with bipartisan support last year, ensures access to a 30-day supply of insulin for a $35 co-pay. The bill also created a long-term program for low-income residents who lack sufficient insurance.

• The goal of the bill, named after a 26-year-old Richfield man who died after rationing his insulin, was to save people from risking their health because of cost barriers.

By the numbers: More than 200 residents accessed a 30-day emergency supply last year, according to the manufacturers required to provide or pay for the medicine.

• Hundreds also enrolled in the "continuing need" program.
• The law, which the pharmaceutical industry is challenging in court, cost manufacturers more than $2 million.

The pavilion on the north shore of Bde Maka Ska was destroyed in a fire two years ago, and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board has a couple ideas for how it should be rebuilt.

• The above rendering is option A.
• Below is option B.

📫 Your turn: Tell the park board what you think here. Feel free to let us know, too!

Sen. Amy Klobuchar's new role as chair of a powerful Senate panel is positioning the Minnesota Democrat as a formidable figure in pressing Congress' case against Big Tech, Axios' Ashley Gold reports.

Between the lines: Klobuchar has long been vocal on this issue, but now she can drive the Senate's agenda. In February, she introduced sweeping new antitrust legislation. This week, she reintroduced a bill along with House colleagues on antitrust changes for news media and Big Tech.

Keep reading.

1. 🚈 New route options for a proposal to extend the Blue Line from Target Field to Brooklyn Park would add more stops in North Minneapolis but skip over Golden Valley. (Star Tribune)
2. 🧑‍⚖️ Derek Chauvin is once again facing third-degree murder charges following a ruling by Judge Peter Cahill. (Axios)
3. 🔫 Gun ownership appears to be growing among liberals in Minnesota and beyond. (The Reformer)
4. 🛍The pandemic promoted a run on roller skates and now manufacturers, including Red Wing's Riedell Shoes, are struggling to keep up with demand. (WSJ)
5. 💵 A bill providing state tax relief to Minnesotans who got federal Paycheck Protection Program loans or pandemic unemployment benefits cleared the state Senate. (Pioneer Press)

A drone video promoting Bryant Lake Bowl & Theater is getting major applause from some of Hollywood's biggest players.

What they're saying: "This is one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen," "Coco" director Lee Unkrich wrote, per the New York Times.

• "This kind of wonderful photographic innovation adds to the language and vocabulary of cinema. Just beautiful," added Todd Vaziri, a veteran of "Star Wars" and "Transformers."

Watch.